The Cleveland Browns are going to have one of the most intriguing quarterback competitions once again in training camp. Shedeur Sanders and Deshaun Watson are battling it out each and every day on the field. While Sanders started at the end of the 2025 season and likely has an advantage over Watson right now, Browns analysts aren’t shying away from criticizing the second-year quarterback’s flaws in training camp practices.
Browns Analysts Criticize Shedeur Sanders’ Training Camp Performance
Browns analysts aren’t too pleased with certain aspects of Sanders’ performance at training camp. According to them, Sanders is struggling to break the huddle as the offense has committed multiple pre-snap penalties during drills.
“Now, Shedeur goes in there, and they can’t get the snap off. In one sequence of 11-on-11s, they had 3 pre-snap penalties,” said Browns analyst Aaron Goldhammer.
“Now Shedeur goes in there and they can’t get the snap off. In one sequence of 11v11 they had 3 pre-snap penalties,” – @HammerNation19 reacting to a tough day for the Browns 1st team offense yesterday. pic.twitter.com/elkpAstk2N
— ESPN Cleveland (@ESPNCleveland) July 31, 2026
Unfortunately for Sanders, the criticism didn’t end there. The analysts ripped into him for being unable to get rid of the football quickly and holding onto it too long.
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“The other thing with him that he has to get better at is, dude, you have to throw the ball,” said Goldhammer.
“DUDE you have to throw the ball,” – @HammerNation19 on videos from camp of Shedeur holding onto the ball too long.
How much does this worry you right now? pic.twitter.com/HpjGGFso0X
— ESPN Cleveland (@ESPNCleveland) July 31, 2026
The issue goes beyond just being unable to get the ball out into tight windows or under pressure; he hasn’t done a good job of getting it out in 7v7 drills, where there’s no pass rush.
“It’s designed for you to go one read, two read. If the ball is not out, you’re sacked,” added another Browns analyst criticizing Sanders in 7v7.
The Browns hope Sanders can be their long-term answer at quarterback. Cleveland hasn’t had stability at quarterback in decades, and it doesn’t look too promising right now, but maybe Sanders will be the guy. He ranked among the lowest-rated quarterbacks in PFN’s QB Impact Metric in 2025, finishing 37th out of 38 qualified quarterbacks.
Cleveland is hoping for a change in fortune after firing head coach Kevin Stefanski, but trading away star Myles Garrett won’t help. The Browns look destined for another year toward the bottom of the standings, and if Sanders doesn’t turn some of his struggles in training camp around, it could be an even rougher season than Browns fans might imagine.
